Defence Minister A.K. Antony has said that a cyber command will be established in the Armed forces as part of strengthening the cyber defence security in the country.
Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a passing out parade of the trained cadets at the Indian Naval Academy here on Saturday, Mr. Antony said the process of forming the cyber command was in its final stages. The government had mechanisms to handle cyber security issues, he said adding that the cyber command was being set up in view of the growing threat of cyber warfare.
Major expansion
Mr. Antony said in response to a query on the proposed infrastructure development programmes in the armed forces that all the three Services were poised for major expansion since the security situation in the borders of the country was volatile and sensitive. Stressing the importance of equipping the Army to meet the new challenges, the Minister said that better infrastructure and new equipment were required to protect the country's land, air, and water.
Stating that infrastructure development as part of modernising the Armed forces was now on track, Mr. Antony said the country was much more confident now as far as its defence was concerned. The Army possessed more assets than in the past, he said adding that funds allotted for its modernisation were now fully utilised.
‘‘Earlier crores of rupees of the allotted funds used to be surrendered,” he said noting that utilisation for funds for infrastructure development was far efficient now.
Asked about India's relationship with China in the wake of the recent visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, he said that competition and cooperation were the characteristics of the relationship between the two neighbouring countries. There were areas where the relations were growing and there were areas of dispute, he said noting that both China and India were modern countries and they were strengthening their armed forces.
He said in reply to a question that the country's border road development was a continuous process.
